Chiefs prepare for return to Los Angeles

Friday

Aug 19, 2016 at 3:13 PM

Matt Derrick

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It’s back to the future for the Kansas City Chiefs this week, returning to the Los Angeles Coliseum and facing the Los Angeles Rams for the first time in 22 seasons at 8 p.m. Saturday.

The Chiefs won the last regular season NFL game played at Memorial Coliseum, a 19-9 victory over the then-Los Angeles Raiders in 1994.

The 1994 season was also the last time the Chiefs faced the Rams under the Los Angeles banner. The Rams blanked the Chiefs 16-0 at Arrowhead Stadium.

The faces have changed, but there will still be plenty of drama on a national stage for the Chiefs. Last week the Rams set an NFL preseason attendance record for a game in the United States with 89,140 fans. The team also stars in the current season of HBO’s "Hard Knocks" training camp show.

Here’s a rundown of what to watch in this week’s matchup.

NICK FOLES

New Chiefs backup quarterback Nick Foles will matchup against his former teammates, and there could be plenty to prove on both sides.

Facing a former team following a messy departure is familiar ground for Alex Smith, who played against San Francisco in 2014. Smith struggled in the 22-17 loss to the 49ers, finishing 16 for 30 for 158 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

"I’m sure he’ll be pumped up," Smith said. "You want to go out and show up in front of those guys. There’s a lot of emotions you go through. The nice thing here is that it’s just a preseason game."

Foles is slated to play the third quarter with the second-team offense, but he may see action in the first half with the first-team offense, especially if Smith looks sharp early.

TIGHT END BLOCKING

The battle behind Travis Kelce at tight end is as competitive as any positional battle in camp. The Chiefs have tight ends who can catch, but are searching for a tight end who can block effectively as well.

Against Seattle last Saturday and during goal-line drills at camp the Chiefs have used offensive lineman Zach Fulton as a tackle-eligible blocker in place of a tight end.

Tight ends coach Tom Melvin said this week the blocking of Demetrius Harris has impressed him the most in camp.

"He got really good at it last year for the first time because he had been hurt coming in to it," Melvin said. "For what he’s doing on the line of scrimmage, is just awesome. I love to see it, and I’m very proud of the kid for doing what he did and got himself in that position."

WIDE RECEIVER ROTATION

Jeremy Maclin is the No. 1 receiver, but may see less playing time Saturday night after missing a practice Wednesday with a groin injury. That’s not a problem for the Chiefs, who have a plethora of wide receivers to evaluate.

Chris Conley has been a mainstay with the first team throughout camp. Albert Wilson is the usual third receiver, but he has shared reps with Rod Streater. Tyreek Hill, Frankie Hammond Jr., De’Anthony Thomas and Mike Williams also will likely see action with the first team.

The Chiefs feel comfortable mixing and matching in the passing game to find the best opportunities. Watching who plays in the first half should be a good indication of which receivers the team currently holds the most confidence in.

PENALTIES

The Chiefs committed zero penalties in the first half against Seattle last week, but a flurry of seven second-half mistakes did not please coach Andy Reid.

"The offsides and the penalties, you can’t have those," Reid said. "It’s good for these good guys to learn that. They get to see firsthand that when you do that in the National Football League, it costs you games."

Four penalties on the offense slowed the Chiefs momentum in the second half, and two defensive penalties provided first downs for the Seahawks. The flag for too many men on the field following a timeout on the game’s final play — a successful two-point conversion try for Seattle — was the most damaging.

The Chiefs do not want to make mistakes and committing penalties are a sure way for players on the bubble to fall out of favor.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.

Advertising

Stay Connected

Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted.
The Topeka Capital-Journal ~ 616 SE Jefferson, Topeka, KS 66607 ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service